Wyre Forest residents Warning! 26 September 2016
Residents in North Worcestershire are being warned to be vigilant after official looking leaflets offering subsidies for roofing work have been distributed across the Wyre Forest area.
Homeowners have received official looking leaflets through their door. The leaflet is directed at retired, semi-retired and over 60’s suggesting they are eligible for financial assistance or a subsidy payment of up to 40% for roof protection or renewal.
The leaflet promotes roof coating as an alternative to a replacement roof and claims to make roofs ‘maintenance free’ for up to 20 years. Similar claims have been investigated by Trading Standards in other parts of the West Midlands and found to be fraudulent and the offers misleading.
Worcestershire Trading Standards Service consider the content of this leaflet misleads consumers into believing that financial assistance and subsidy is officially endorsed or even government backed and that they will be receiving a bargain deal whereas this is probably not the case at all. There is no such government funding or subsidy currently available for roof coating and renewal work. Officers of the Service are currently making enquiries.
Cllr Lucy Hodgson, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Localism and Communities said: "We are asking residents to be vigilant and keep their wits about them when they receive promotional flyers out of the blue for work to their home or garden. If anyone is concerned or if they know someone who may have fallen victim to this roof coating scam then they should report it to Trading Standards."
Reports to Trading Standards can be made by calling the Citizens Advice Bureau Advice line on 03454 040506. Also report scams or suspected scams to Action Fraud: 0300 123 2040 www.actionfraud.police.uk
Worcestershire Trading Standards service is now proud to be working in Partnership with Checkatrade and is committed to protecting consumers from rogue traders.
Consumers can find traders who have been fully vetted and Trading Standards Approved on the Checkatrade website http://www.checkatrade.com/default.aspx
For press enquiries or to arrange an interview with a spokesperson please contact the Council's Communications team on 01905 766646.
Follow Worcestershire County Council on Twitter @worcscc and Trading Standards @worcsts
